The rich rural scenery of North Fife, Scotland, provides variety from the historic city of St Andrews and the quaint harbours of the East Neuk of Fife. A Royal Palace in Falkland, a Folk Museum in Ceres, a National Trust Mansion House near Cupar, Balmerino Abbey, Lindores Abbey, Newburgh, Dunbog, Glenduckie, Creich, Birkhill, Ballinbreich, Abdie, Upper Flisk and more in beautiful North East Fife. Also the occasional wander.

Friday, December 28, 2007

North Fife History and Legend. Fife has always been one of Scotland's most distinctive counties. Though never a "kingdom" in its own right, its geographical position as a peninsular county between the firths of Tay and Forth has helped maintain its self-contained identity through the ages. Not surprising for a county of such historical resonance, Fife contains a huge number of houses, churches and castles that witnessed events that quite literally shaped the nation. This work introduces the reader to these places and those associated with them - from the great nearby abbeys of Lindores and Balmerino and the major towns of St Andrews, Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy to the beautiful villages of the East Neuk and the islands of the Firth of Forth. It also introduces some of the less familiar details from Fife's to produce a complete introduction to this county.Fife in History and LegendHistory of North Fife Cupar. North Fife Property. Tour Scotland. North Fife Maps. St.Andrews and East Fife: Cupar, Anstruther and Crail (Explorer)Rent a Cottage in North Fife Scotland.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

The I Ching.The 3000-year-old classic of Chinese wisdom which has been a guide to predicting the future.I Ching or Book of Changes (Arkana).It's coming up to that time of the year, you know, resolutions and so on.For the last 30 odd years when needing an outside view on a situation, thought, action or anything wanting clarity, I have delved into the I Ching for guidance, Quite revealing and if you are thoughtful, you may wish to try it.

Top view of the prayer wheel depicting a mandala of the eight auspicious symbles with appropriate coloured jewels for the four directions. I Mentioned a prayer wheel in my previous post,it took three months to design and make, the crow was with me for all of that time.It was made from Silver, gold, brass, copper and iron, bejewelled and contains 21 billion prayers. The concept of a prayer wheel is that as it rotates clockwise the prayer aspiration radiates benefiting all sentient beings.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

North Fife Upper Flisk Crows on Christmas Day. Every year crows arrive en masse, swirl and burrel about, call and view each other.In my life I have had many close encounters with crows. In Tibetan Buddhism Crows make the sound of the Dharma, Buddhist teaching. Ka, first letter of the Alphabet contains Ah, sacred syllable corresponding to the throat centre. Many years ago, I was commissioned to design and make a prayer wheel for a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery and during the process a crow would wake me by banging on a window of the house. Sometimes I would try to surprise it, it usually caught me out. Now this bird would even enter an open window and strut about on the design drawing, it had a wee white tuft of white feathers on its breast. This apparently signified it belonged to the pantheon of protectors, Mahakala, the Great Black. Anyway the prayer wheel was completed and the crow went away, until later when repairing one. So, for me the sight and sound of crows is something else.

Enjoy.For those that do not know many of Andy Stewart's songs are taken from Robert Burns Poetry. Robert Burns is the National Poet of Scotland, his birthday is a Holiday in Scotland and follows Hogmanay and Christmas.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

A 19th Century print of the kind that overwinter in Luthrie north fife. UPLAND GEESE antique print Bird WILD LIFE . Luthrie North Fife Geese take forage. Pinkfoot and other migratory geese overwinter in this part of north fife. .

Saturday, December 22, 2007

KT Tunstall grew up in St Andrews North Fife. Drastic Fantastic .As the sleeve of Drastic Fantastic, a shot of a wildly posing Kate Tunstall, suggests, the Scot never expected to find herself following up a multi-million selling debut. But her second official album, again produced by Steve Osborne, is an impressive piece of work, edgy enough to please those who delighted in her gleeful live shows yet suitably smooth for fans recruited via radio play. Unsurprisingly some of the songs on Drastic Fantastic is can be read as musings on fame, notably the catchy first single "Hold On" and the cleverly constructed Sixties-style pop of "Hopeless". Elsewhere "White Bird" is haunting and downbeat, while the propulsive "folk-punk" (her phrase) of "I Don’t Want You Now" is apparently intended as a musical tribute to Tunstall’s obvious precursor, the late Kirsty MacColl. The excellent ‘Saving My Face’ welds a moody stadium rocker to a chord progression familiar from the chorus of Slade’s timeless "Cum on Feel the Noize", a neat trick which pretty much encapsulates Tunstall’s ability to combine the fragile and hearty in equal measures. By the time the understated, quietly epic "Beauty of Uncertainty" and the accordion-led "Paper Aeroplane", a quirky folk song not miles from her erstwhile comrades in Scotland’s amorphous Fence Collective, bring proceedings to a close, the listener’s relief is palpable. Making an intelligent, radio-friendly pop album with a real heart is difficult enough once, but managing the trick again proves her talent is genuine. --Steve JelbertDescription'Drastic Fantastic' is the second album from Scottish folk-pop singer-songwriter KT Tunstall. Continuing in the same vein as her previous 'Eye To The Telescope' LP, this release features the single 'Hold On', and is again produced by SteveOsborne, who is notable for his work in the dance world. There are discernible progressions in Tunstall's musical prowess, here employing lead guitar and ukulele for the first time, as well as a greater reliance on re-creating her live sound.Amazon.co.uk: Drastic Fantastic: Music: KT Tunstall

North Fife Solstice night. Tonight the astrological calendar changes to Capricorn and here we can view the almost full moon through the horns of a wild goat. The skull came from Holy Isle off Arran in 1993 and has provided a psycological protection to home ever since.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Freezing fog beginning to collect on the trees in my garden in North Fife on a cold December night on the longest night. From tomorrow the days turn with the Winter Solstice.From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

This article is about the astronomical and cultural event of winter's solstice, also known as midwinter. The winter solstice occurs at the instant when the Sun's position in the sky is at its greatest angular distance on the other side of the equatorial plane as the observer. Depending on the shift of the calendar, the event of the Winter solstice occurs sometime between December 20 and 23 each year in the Northern hemisphere, and between June 20 and 23 in the Southern Hemisphere, and the winter solstice occurs during either the shortest day or the longest night of the year (not to be confused with the darkest day or nights). Though the Winter Solstice lasts an instant, the term is also used to refer to the full 24-hour period.Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time.The word solstice derives from Latin sol (Sun) and sistere (stand still), Winter Solstice meaning Sun stand still in winter.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

North Fife Property for sale Inchrye.• Prominent and Attractive Former Steading building• Detailed Planning Permission for conversion to form three impressivedwelling houses.• Approximately 2.41 Acre (0.98 Ha) site in a sought after location• Extensive amenity ground to each dwelling.The subjects comprise a ruinous ‘U’ shaped traditional stone built steading range of various wall heights within a site of approximately 2.41 Acres (0.98 Ha). The steading is a prominent ‘B’ listed building with a footprint extending to approximately 676 sq.m (7280 sq.ft).It is believed that the steading belonged to Inchrye Abbey; a Georgian Gothic revival house built in 1827 and demolished in the 1960s. Most of the architectural features of the steading are still intact including the distinctive castellated dovecot and polygonal turrets. The subjects comprise an excellent basis for redevelopment with an attractive scheme for three expansive residential units consented.Location

Inchrye steading range is situated in picturesque North East Fife with attractive open views over the surrounding countryside. The steading lies adjacent to the A913 on the outskirts of the village of Lindores in a private yet easily accessible position.The property benefits from a convenient location in terms of population centres, with Perth, Dundee and St Andrews all lying within easy commuting distance. The town of Cupar is within 8 miles and provides a comprehensive range of local services and amenities. Access to the M90 and the wider motorway network is quick and easy. North east Fife continues to prove very popular as a residential location.Further Details and Agent.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Your hosts Mary Clewley and Struan McIntosh, extend a warm welcome to their Victorian Bed & Breakfast home. Hillpark House has been sympathetically restored retaining many of its attractive original features and offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere where you can unwind and enjoy a special bed and breakfast experience, at the end of a busy day. Ideally situated for golf in St Andrews, the city of Dundee or the wonderful beach at Kinshaldy and Tentsmuir Forest, all of which are just a ten minute drive. Kingsbarns is 15 minutes and Carnoustie just over half an hour.Bedroom accommodation is larger than average and furnished in keeping with the period, offering total comfort with many little added extras and bedrooms have either en-suite shower room or adjoining private bathroom.Each room has colour television, VCR, hospitality tray (with a wide range of beverages including, fruit and herbal teas, ground coffee or drinking chocolate) & electric blankets. Shaver points, hairdryers and converters for most European and American electrical items are also available. More details and website.Hillpark HouseBed and Breakfast96 Main Street, Leuchars,St Andrews, Fifeenquiries@hillparkhouse.comTel: +44 (0)1334 839280

Monday, December 17, 2007

Sir James Balfour, Bart., of Denmilne, Lord Lyon King of Arms, is an important, but strangely shadowy, figure in the Scotland of the first half of the seventeenth century. Typically, his part in the story of the Pont maps was crucial but obscure. Read more...Sir James Balfour, 1st Baronet.

BALFOUR, (Sir) ANDREW, Bart. M.D. who first introduced the dissection of the human body into Scotland, and that at a very superstitious period; who projected the first hospital in the country, for the relief of disease and poverty at the public expense; who was the founder of the botanic garden at Edinburgh, and almost the father of the science in Scotland; who planned the royal college of physicians at Edinburgh; and bequeathed to the public a museum, which at that time would have been an ornament to any university, or any metropolis, - was the fifth and youngest son of Sir Michael Balfour of Denmilne in Fife, and was born at that place on the 18th of January, 1630. He prosecuted his studies in the university of St Andrews, where he took his degree of A.M. At this period his education was superintended by his brother Sir James Balfour, the famous antiquary, and lion king at arms to Charles I., who was about thirty years older than himself. At college he first discovered his attachment to botany, which in him is said to have led to the study of physic, instead of being, as it generally is, a handmaid to that art. Quitting the university about the year 1650, he removed to London, where his medical studies were chiefly directed by the celebrated Harvey, by Sir Theodore Mayerne, the distinguished physician of king James I., and various other eminent practitioners. He afterwards traveled to Blois in France, and remained there for some time, to see the botanic garden of the Duke of Orleans, which was then the best in Europe, and was kept by his countryman Dr Morison. Here he contracted a warm friendship for that great botanist, which continued unimpaired while they lived. From Blois he went to Paris, where, for a long time, he prosecuted his medical studies with great ardour. He completed his education at the university of Caen, from which he received the degrees of bachelor and doctor of physic, on the 20th of September, 1661. Read more ..... .

Denmilne Castle North Fife south and east aspect.

Denmilne Castle in the Parish of Lindores and Abdie. One mile east of Newburgh North Fife. Adjacent to the road connecting Perth to Cupar and St Andrews North Fife. Birthplace of Sir James Balfour and Sir Andrew Balfour.An illustration of how cold it was today showing the hoarfrost at Denmilne Castle North Fife.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

The Proclaimerts of Auchtermuchty North Fife.Amazon.co.uk ReviewThis Best of collection is a richly entertaining catalogue of The Proclaimers' resolute failure to fit in with anyone else's ideas of what pop stars are supposed to be. This, along with their glorious voices and frustratingly erratic knack for simple affecting songs, has always been one of their strengths: Craig and Charlie Reid may look like they were dressed by a well-meaning aunt, and wear glasses thick enough to prevent a spaceship disintegrating on re-entry, and be unfashionably keen on God, marriage and family, but they're for real. The early videos, from "Letter to America", in which they bellow, pink-cheeked, from a windswept hillside, to the sublime "Sunshine On Leith", recorded in a dilapidated pub, are clearly intended to reinforce The Proclaimers' rugged authenticity.It's ironic, then, that the best clips here are the ones on which The Proclaimers disdain their usual asceticism and allow themselves to be caught having a good time being driven through a glittering Las Vegas on "Let's Get Married", wearing tartan suits for "What Makes You Cry?", or impersonating Nashville gentry for their lovely version of Roger Miller's "King of the Road". The showbiz approach doesn't always work, though: the video for "The Doodle Song" is mesmerisingly bad, like a cross between Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love", a Gap commercial and a beginners aerobics class.The Proclaimers - The Best Of 1987-2002 [2003] .

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Cupar Christmas Fayre North Fife Farmers Market, where local producers of fine foods also provide a space whereby matters of concern can be voiced, as in this instance.Councillor Andrew Arbuckle of Newburgh North Fife and district discusses with John Thomas the iniquity of the proposed hike in charges for home care for those disabled people in the community.

In Kilmany North Fife Stands a Memorial statue to Jim Clark who was Born in the village 4th March 1936 and Died Hockenheim 7th April 1968.Jim Clark: Life at Team Lotus, it is a feast of previously unseen photographs from the mid-1960s when the Scottish maestro was at the peak of his career. It features over 250 stunning black-and-white photos of the two-times Formula 1 World Champion in action on the track, as well as in and around the paddock during his most successful period 1964 to 1967. All the pictures were taken by Team Lotus official photographer at the time, Peter Darley, and represent some of the very best images from his personal archive. The majority of these images have never been on public view before, and they provide fresh insights into Clark s - and the team s methodology, demeanour and race prep. Every picture tells a story, so they say, and Darley s photographs feature the amiable Scot with team members including Lotus boss Colin Chapman. A wide variety of paddock scenarios, reveal intimate moments and thus the psychology between Team Lotus personnel when relaxing, as well as anxieties in the moments leading up to and during the race.Jim Clark Life at Team Lotus .

Friday, December 14, 2007

North Fife Self Catering Crail. The DenThe Den is an ideal choice for a self catering holiday in Fife. Located in Crail, one of the most picturesque of the historic fishing villages in the East Neuk of Fife, this holiday cottage style apartment is close to Anstruther, Elie, Kingsbarns, Pittenweem and St Monans. It is only a short drive from St Andrews and is within easy reach of Edinburgh, Dundee and Perth.

North Fife Self Catering 12 Southfield, St.Andrews. Luxurious apartment. 4 kingsized bedrooms(one with en-suite facilities).Secure parking for 1 vehicule,gas, electricity and all linen (except beach towels) included in rental.Within easy walking distance of town centre and all St.Andrews has to offer, full details available on our website.

North Fife Bed and Breakfast Ladywell House. Ladywell House was formerly owned by Francis Shand-Kydd the mother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. The house is a former manse, built in 1804, commanding outstanding views over North Fife and the historic and picturesque village of Falkland, where the famous Falkland Palace is an important visitor attraction.The house is situated on the edge of the village and is surrounded by an acre of beautiful walled garden. The property has three guest bedrooms, a double with en-suite shower, wc and whb, a twin with en-suite shower, wc and whb and a twin with private bathroom with bath, wc and whb. Ladywell House and it's hosts Duncan & Camilla offer you a warm and relaxed atmosphere for you to enjoy your holiday whether it be for golf, walking or just "to get away from it all"

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Four quite fresh mackerel, the fresher the better, nothing beats mackerel cooked within moments of being caught. This is not the case here but bright looking fish anyway.

North Fife Recipes Mackerel. The mackerel is washed and gutted, three or so deep cuts on each side to take salt and slices of fresh garlic. grilled eight or so minutes each side or until done. Here served with waxy potatoes and fresh watercress with a good wedge of lemon.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

These amazing moving staircases introduce and convey persons unknown. Ten Fifteen PM on a December night in Edinburgh. I nearly get culture shock when I consider The difference with home in North Fife. . I find it rather surreal.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Maw Broon's Cookbook: The Broon's Cookbook - for Every Day and Special Days .Just Across the River Tay from North Fife is the City of Dundee, home of DC Thomsons Publishers. Launched in 1936 in the "Sunday Post" in Scotland, The Broons are undoubtedly Scotland's first family - the Nation's favourites - with a readership covering all generations. The Broons 'annual' sells over 100,000 copies. This is a facsimile of Maw Broon's very own cookbook, which we borrowed from the sideboard at No. 10 Glebe Street - first made for her by her mother-in-law when 'Maw' married 'Paw', and added-to over the years with recipes for every day and special days, from friends and neighbours and others that simply caught Maw's eye in "The Sunday Post", or cut-out of the backof a flour bag. These are the very recipes that became the favourite dishes of the whole extended family - Maw and Paw, Granpaw, Daphne, Horace, Joe, Maggie, Hen, the Twins and 'the bairn'.The strip itself is still hugely popular, with the "Sunday Post" having a circulation of over 1,000,000 copies every week, and there are some examples of the strip from years gone by that Maw must have clipped into her Cookbook- perhaps as reminders of special days. We've just left the 'bits and pieces' that you find tucked into a cookbook, exactly as we found them - stains and all. "Maw Broon's Cookbook" is published at a time when nostalgia items are extremely popular, and although obviously firm favourites in Scotland, there will be interest nationwide, with support and endorsement from celebrity names - Gordon Ramsay, Lorraine Kelly, Ewan McGregor to name a few. The BBC's Robbie Shepherd and Tom Morton will lend a hand too! There will be promotion in DC Thomson's portfolio of newspapers and magazines - including "The Sunday Post", "The Courier", "The Scots Magazine", and "The People's Friend". If you are or could be into the Broons. How about Maw Broon's Calendar. The "Broons" Calendar 2008 (Calendar).

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About Me

In 1979 I moved To North Fife from the Borders originally for a year, became captivated and have loved being here ever since. In a word magic. The climate, peoples, environment, air. views, All is quite wonderful and maybe on my blog you too can get a feel of that and enjoy too. I am art and craft trained from 11 years old leading me to photography/giclee printing from my studio in The Steeple Newburgh North Fife. All Photographs subject to copyright